Arsène Lupin is a French TV show which was co-produced with German, Canadian, Belgian, Dutch, Swiss, Italian and Austrian TV stations. It was only loosely based on Maurice Leblancs novels. Georges Descrières' portrayal of Arsène Lupin showed more similarity to Graf Yoster than to Maurice Leblanc's original. He behaved in the first place as a perfect gentleman who never got angry. He was always relaxed, because whatever could possibly had bothered him in daily life was taken care of by his butler. It wasn't questioned how he had come to his financial independence although the series sometimes discreetly implied that he was a professional criminal. Besides rescuing damsels in distress Lupin took on criminals, competing with their wit and intelligence. Either he stole paintings from rich people who had to be considered white-collar criminals or he acted as a detective who derailed criminal schemes. However, when he was attacked, he could defend himself effortlessly by using elegant jujutsu methods. Among the guest stars were German actors such as Günter Strack and Sky du Mont. Jean-Paul Salomé said in his commentary on the DVD version of his film Arsène Lupin he had like this series as a child. German TV, one the investors, would broadcast the show eventually between 18:00-20:00 o'clock because it was only allowed to show commercials within that very timeslot. For them to get a financial return on investment the show had to be appropriate for families and also for children who would watch it alone. Subsequently it was nearby to ask to defuse and flatten some of Leblanc's plots in order to avoid possible complaints that could force the station to broadcast the show beyond the "Vorabendprogramm".
WriterMaurice Leblanc
The Crystal Stopper
Mar 18, 1971
During a break in the member Daubrecq a crime is committed and two accomplices of Arsene Lupin arrested by the police. One is guilty of the crime, the other innocent but both will be sentenced to death. Lupin will seek to deliver the victim of a miscarriage of justice, but must fight against the member Daubrecq unscrupulous blackmailer, who holds a compromising document, hidden in a crystal stopper.
Victor, from the Social Brigade
Mar 25, 1971
Following yet another daring robbery, the Minister and the Prefect of Police call on a policeman unknown to Lupin, stationed in Africa: Victor offers to play the part of a clever worldly burglar, Mister Lorchester. In this way, he becomes part of Lupin's gang, whose only task is to arrest him. But to make him look the part, Victor needs a well-funded bank account, which the enthusiastic Préfet immediately opens for him. During his evenings of idleness, Victor Lorchester meets a young woman he believes to be Lupin's friend.
Arsène Lupine against Herlock Sholmès
Apr 1, 1971
During a reception at the home of the brilliant young Maxime Bermond, the guests learn that banker Dautrec has just purchased the priceless royal diamond. Back at home, Dautrec checks the locking systems on the doors and windows. A nun is waiting to read to him. Shortly afterwards, an alarm goes off in the house. The servant finds his master murdered.
The arrest of Arsène Lupin
Apr 8, 1971
Lupin, posing as Bernard d'Andrezy, visits Gournay-Martin, the wealthy champagne owner. A reception is held, during which the guests tour the cellars. During the tour, Andrezy makes strange chalk marks on the walls. In the evening, a telegram upsets those present: “Arsène Lupin is among you”. The Prefect of Police takes an immediate interest in the case, and one of the guests accuses Andrezy of being Lupin, having noticed his strange behavior in the cellars. A manhunt begins, and Lupin ends up trapped in a cul-de-sac. His old enemy, Commissaire Guerchard, has the pleasure of handcuffing the notorious burglar for the first time.
The Barnett Agency
Apr 15, 1971
Inspector Bechoux suspects Barnett, a private detective in whom he believes he recognizes Arsène Lupin, of stealing “King Dagobert's treasure” and hiding it. Barnett goes to the church in a small village where Inspector Bechoux has begun his investigation. The theft was committed in the middle of the night by a one-armed man. So Bechoux arrests a one-armed man in the village, interrogates him and hands him over to Baron de Gravières, the local Châtelain, for safekeeping. But Barnett isn't happy with this hasty arrest.
The lady with green eyes
Apr 22, 1971
Arsène Lupin follows a young English woman on a train who has stolen his wallet. They are attacked by two men who flee when they realize they have the wrong victims. Lady Bakefield, wounded, faints, whispering to Lupin “Gabriel... Villa Valdblick”. Two corpses are discovered at the train stop. A young girl with big green eyes is arrested.
The broken chain
Apr 29, 1971
In the port of Amsterdam, a trunk containing a drugged man and top-secret scientific documents from the Ministry of National Defense is discovered. In order to find the source of the leaks and dismantle the spy organization, the authorities call in an unusual personality: Arsène Lupin. The gentleman burglar begins an investigation across the city. He befriends a young woman, Hélène, who belongs to the organization, and manages to get in touch with its leader.
The woman with two smiles
May 6, 1971
Arsène Lupin has settled in Rome as a painter named Arthur Lodin. Always on the lookout for new adventures, he occupies the apartment next door to the wealthy Marquis Belmonte. One day, he is mistakenly visited by a beautiful blonde woman who has come to see the marquis. A few moments later, Commissaire Gorgone bursts into Lupin's apartment. He searches for the young woman and declares her to be “Clara la blonde”, the accomplice of the notorious Italian thief Peppino. Lupin, who has just enough time to hide his visitor, leads the superintendent on a false trail.
The Caliph's Chimera
May 13, 1971
In Ungoldingen, at the small railway station, two unusual characters, the famous London detective Fox and his assistant Robertson, entrust their luggage to a porter who immediately disappears after leaving them a calling card bearing the message: “Arsène Lupin welcomes you”. Despite this incident, Fox and Robertson make their way to Augstadt Castle, where the owner, Baron von Augstadt, awaits them.
A woman against Arsène Lupin
May 20, 1971
A gang is scouring St. Moritz, replacing real jewels with perfect copies. At the request of the insurance companies, Lupin arrives on the scene disguised as Raoul d'Andrézy, with a stolen piece of jewelry that will enable him to infiltrate the gang. Seeing that all guests at the palace where he is staying are being searched, Lupin slips the jewel into the pocket of Marie Bonatti, a young journalist, who leaves the hotel unchecked.
The Rings of Cagliostro
May 27, 1971
Arsène Lupin, disguised as Raoul d'Andrézy, travels to Vienna to attend a conference on treasures. At the home of wealthy Baron Ordosczy, the conference begins. Corcoran explains that the mysterious inscriptions engraved on 7 rings conceal the secret of Cagliostro's treasure. The light goes out. When it returns, the rings have disappeared.
Tornbüll's paintings
Jun 3, 1971
Tornbüll Castle seems to be the center of a feverish tourist activity, which greatly displeases its owner, the young Count Stephan. Among the visitors is a gangster-like man who has the Count worried about his magnificent collection of paintings. Another character, as picturesque as he is disturbing: Lupin, disguised as the crippled English novelist Lord Lewcastle. Lord Lewcastle-Lupin urges Count Stephan to make copies of his paintings and lock the originals in his safe. He even recommends a young French artist for the job.
The 7 of hearts
Jun 1, 1971
Maurice Leblanc, the author of Arsène Lupin, is in Brussels for a report and meets the handsome Jean d'Aspry, Arsène Lupin's temporary identity. One evening, Leblanc receives a mysterious message: “Whatever happens, don't move, or you're a dead man”. Terrified, Leblanc spends a very bad night in a house full of extravagant commotion. The next day, he is shocked to read about his night in the newspaper.
